Read My Guest Column in the Clarion Ledger

In May I went to Washington as a student advisor for the Y2i program at the University of Southern Mississippi.

I accidently learned (like we didn't know already) the poor state of our current security measures:

The next day, the knife traveled through no fewer than five secure locations. I brought it into the U.S. Mint, the Washington Monument, the Smithsonian's Museum of the American Indian and I later gained admittance to the U.S. Supreme Court building standing feet away from the courtroom.

Most frightening, however, is that I went into the Dirksen Senate building, through its security, and met with U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, all while I had a knife on my person.

It is with this in mind that I ask citizens to consider the actions of our government recently which it claims will protect us. Laws have been passed allowing government agents to tap into our phone calls, demand our records (without being required to tell those they're targeting), and detain U.S. citizens infinitely.

Read the entire column at the Clarion Ledger.

Congressman Thompson decries U.S. Supreme Court Decision

From a press release today:

Thompson Decries Supreme Court Decision

June 23, 2008 (WASHINGTON) – Today, the United States Supreme Court denied a plea in the Defenders of Wildlife case against the Department of Homeland Security (No. 07-1180). The case pertains to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff's use of questionable waiver authority to skirt numerous federal laws in order to construct fencing along the southwest border. The petitioners allege that the use of the waiver is unconstitutional.

Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and 13 other Members of Congress, including six Committee Chairmen, submitted an Amicus Curiae brief to urge the Supreme Court to grant certiorari in the case.

Chairman Thompson issued the following statement in response to the decision:

"I am extremely disappointed in the Court's decision. This waiver will only prolong the Department from addressing the real issue, their lack of a comprehensive border security plan. Without a comprehensive plan this fence is just another quick fix," said Thompson.

"Despite this decision, Secretary Chertoff still has a responsibility to act prudently and to consult with all stakeholders."